Tangtang grew a little older. She was left by Zhou Luchen and Shen Jing in Xiangshan, or sometimes sent to the courtyard house.
When she began to talk, her speech carried a hint of a Beijing accent. "Goin' for a stroll today," she would say.
Xicheng stated seriously, "Our household registration is in Shanghai."
"The moment Tangtang opens her mouth, she sounds like someone from the Forty-nine City."
Tangtang sniffed.
"So what? Mom isn't from Shanghai either."
As for why that was, Xicheng, who had just started kindergarten, didn't know how to answer.
Today, Xicheng went to kindergarten.
Tangtang often went out with Great Grandpa to take walks and play chess. They stayed within the Hutong alley area.
Tangtang's hair had grown a bit longer; it was soft and black.
Great Grandpa was braiding her hair. His eyesight wasn't great, but his movements were practiced. He was a kind, benevolent old man with white hair.
